One benefit of Texecom Connect is its ability to add flexibility to the alarm system through user-configured Recipes. These are created through the system’s App, and use ‘Cause and Effect’ programming to enhance functionality. In this look at Recipes we consider how a homeowner can automate external lighting and heating during a party.

Recipes allow the end user to create ‘cause and effect’ programming to manage actions that are triggered by certain events. One example of how this can enhance home automation is with regard to the simple automated control of external devices during a typical party scenario.

If people want to smoke it has become a common courtesy to do so outside, but during winter months darkness and cold make this a less desirable option. However, a host can designate a patio as a smoking area, for example, and use a Recipe to ensure that a patio light and patio heater are switched on temporarily when people go outside.

There are four conditions which all need to be satisfied for the Party Recipe to be triggered. Firstly, the main house alarm needs to be disarmed. This ensures that no switching will occur if the alarm is set, which is obvious.

The second condition is that the Date and Time must match the Recipe. Using the Date option means a Recipe can be set for a very specific time window (in this case Christmas Eve night). This enables the Recipe to be configured in advance, plus it will not remain active after the party.

Finally, the switching is triggered by people opening the conservatory door to enter the patio area. To ensure that people leaving the patio area do not retrigger the light and heater, a pulse timer can be used so if the door opening is not followed by an external detection, no triggering occurs.

With the triggers sorted, the actions can be implemented. This is a simple task, with separate actions for the light and heater. This allows flexibility with regard to the time each is switched on.

For example, a light might be switched on for a 10 minute period, but as people are likely to be outside for a shorter period the heater could switch off a 6 or 7 minutes.

Finally, the Recipe is saved and made active. As mentioned, the application of a Date-based timer instead of a Day-based one makes life easier for the end user.

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